Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union has assembled an outstanding line-up of economists and financial industry experts to help credit unions create a bridge to the future by examining where the economy is heading.

Some of the guides to help build that bridge include:

Matthew Slaughter
Tuesday 10/26 | 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
The Economy of 2020

Matthew Slaughter is Associate Dean at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a member of the U.S. State Department's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. From 2005 to 2007, Professor Slaughter served on the President's Council of Economic Advisers.

Professor Slaughter is a frequent speaker, and he has testified before both chambers of the U.S. Congress. He regularly contributes op-eds to The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times.

He received his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Kathleen Cooper
Tuesday 10/26 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
A National View of the Economy

Kathleen Cooper served as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs of the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2001 to 2005, a position in which she oversaw the activities of the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. She has held positions as president of the National Association of Business Economists and chair of the American Bankers Association's Economic Advisory Committee.

Dr. Cooper served for a decade as chief economist with the ExxonMobil Corporation. Before joining ExxonMobil in 1990, Dr. Cooper was executive vice president and chief economist of Security Pacific National Bank.

Marci Rossell
Tuesday 10/26 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
A National View of the Economy

Marci Rossell most recently served as Chief Economist for CNBC. Prior to her career in broadcast journalism, Marci served as Corporate Economist and Investment Spokesperson for OppenheimerFunds, one of the nation's largest mutual fund companies. Marci began her career as an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from Southern Methodist University.

Bill Hampel
Tuesday 10/26 | 2:15-3:15 p.m.
A Credit Union View of the Economy

Bill Hampel is senior vice president, Research & Policy Analysis Department, and chief economist for the Credit Union National Association and Affiliates. A frequent presenter on credit union economic issues, Bill has been a popular speaker at Southwest Corporate's Economic Forum for many years.

Bill has a Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University. He is a member of the American Economic Association and the National Association of Business Economists.

John Cassidy
Tuesday 10/26 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
A Southwest Corporate Update

John Cassidy was appointed CEO of Southwest Corporate in December of 2006. He is responsible for implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. He is also a member of Southwest Corporate's Asset/Liability Committee.

Prior to becoming CEO, John was Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. John joined Southwest Corporate in 1992 as a business development officer for the Investment Advisory Service. He previously was chief financial officer of Police and Fire FCU in Philadelphia, and an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co.

John holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor Degree from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Charles Idol
Wednesday 10/27 | 8:45-9:45 a.m.
A Credit Union View of the Economy

Dr. Charles Idol has been involved in the credit union movement since 1975, serving as a credit union director and providing credit unions and their professional associations with consulting, research, and educational services in the areas of asset/liability management (ALM) and investments. His publications on credit union ALM/investment issues and equity duration applications have appeared in Credit Union Executive and Credit Union Management, and he has conducted seminars for CUNA, CUES, NCUA, and more than 30 credit union leagues. Charles has served as Senior Vice President/Chief Economist of the Texas Credit Union League – and started their ALM service in 1986 - and Chief Economist of Southwest Corporate.

Don Reynolds
Wednesday 10/27 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
A National View of the Economy

Don Reynolds is known as a real world economist—having worked for three of the nation's largest brokerage firms. In 1986, he founded 21st Century Forecasting, a research company focusing on long-term global, economic, demographic, and technology trends. He also served 11 years as chairman of the investment advisory board of a $22 billion trust fund.

Don has given more than 800 speeches in 46 states and 14 countries. He lived 14 years overseas and has visited more than 50 countries.

Don has taught at the university level for ten years, and is past Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents of Texas Woman's University.